Motorsport jobs - advise and help needed
Discussion
Good evening all,
I wonder if anyone could help me. I have researched on the net and a couple of other forums and can't find much help so I thought I would ask here as everyone seems very helpful.
I am 25 years old and currently seeking a career redirection. I have been in work since the age of 17 in various occupations (waiter / bartender/ sales assistant) then I moved into a call centre and after 5 years got to the position as sales manager. I then left there to persue a career in sales at Landrover, however due to problems with the job (they lied to me about hours and rota), I left after a week. I then set up a business dealing in computer games, brings in good money but it's not what I want and I only set it up as I didn't want to collect benefits.
I have been thinking of maybe going to college or university to study Motorsport, more specifically a fdsc motorsport management and logistics foundation degree or A national diploma in motorsports and then maybe continue on to get a full degree if needed.(both at myerscough as I live down the road).
However I want it to be the right decision, so I wanted to ask a couple of questions...
Is it a good course / degree?
Do I need it or could I just start right at the bottom of a Motorsport group?
What jobs does it lead into?
Do employees look for this course, if not, which one?
I expect to start right at the bottom and happy to work for free to build up experience and also volunteer at tracks and events - whatever it takes really!!!
I am interested in the design (cad) / data / technology side - so those are the areas I want to work in.
I have -
5+ years management experience
Project experience
Prince 2 accredited
Sales experience
But no cad/ design / Motorsport experience hence the course interest.
LONG post I know but I wanted to make sure I have detailed everything so everyone can give me specific advise (hopefully).
Thanks in advance
I wonder if anyone could help me. I have researched on the net and a couple of other forums and can't find much help so I thought I would ask here as everyone seems very helpful.
I am 25 years old and currently seeking a career redirection. I have been in work since the age of 17 in various occupations (waiter / bartender/ sales assistant) then I moved into a call centre and after 5 years got to the position as sales manager. I then left there to persue a career in sales at Landrover, however due to problems with the job (they lied to me about hours and rota), I left after a week. I then set up a business dealing in computer games, brings in good money but it's not what I want and I only set it up as I didn't want to collect benefits.
I have been thinking of maybe going to college or university to study Motorsport, more specifically a fdsc motorsport management and logistics foundation degree or A national diploma in motorsports and then maybe continue on to get a full degree if needed.(both at myerscough as I live down the road).
However I want it to be the right decision, so I wanted to ask a couple of questions...
Is it a good course / degree?
Do I need it or could I just start right at the bottom of a Motorsport group?
What jobs does it lead into?
Do employees look for this course, if not, which one?
I expect to start right at the bottom and happy to work for free to build up experience and also volunteer at tracks and events - whatever it takes really!!!
I am interested in the design (cad) / data / technology side - so those are the areas I want to work in.
I have -
5+ years management experience
Project experience
Prince 2 accredited
Sales experience
But no cad/ design / Motorsport experience hence the course interest.
LONG post I know but I wanted to make sure I have detailed everything so everyone can give me specific advise (hopefully).
Thanks in advance
When you say cad/design i assume u mean chassis design? As if you wanted to do the design of the vehicle an automotive design or aerodynamics degree would be better but if you mean chassis then motorsport engineering degree is what you would indeed need to look for on the academic route
designndrive62 said:
When you say cad/design i assume u mean chassis design? As if you wanted to do the design of the vehicle an automotive design or aerodynamics degree would be better but if you mean chassis then motorsport engineering degree is what you would indeed need to look for on the academic route
Thanks for the info.I don't know really- so I would need a specialist course to do automotive design and aerodynamics?
I was trying to get a fine balance so that the course gives me a broad range of skills and knowledge so I can then specialise if needed (if I come across something that really interests me) and allows me to go off in other sectors, rather than being stuck on one subject...
Eddy star said:
Thanks for the info.
I don't know really- so I would need a specialist course to do automotive design and aerodynamics?
I was trying to get a fine balance so that the course gives me a broad range of skills and knowledge so I can then specialise if needed (if I come across something that really interests me) and allows me to go off in other sectors, rather than being stuck on one subject...
Don't study a motorsport specific degree then. An automotive or even mechanical engineering degree should give you the appropriate foundation to go into motorsport if you wish, but not close doors to other options.I don't know really- so I would need a specialist course to do automotive design and aerodynamics?
I was trying to get a fine balance so that the course gives me a broad range of skills and knowledge so I can then specialise if needed (if I come across something that really interests me) and allows me to go off in other sectors, rather than being stuck on one subject...
If you want to work in motorsport nowadays you'll have to do the course (although weekend warrior work is always good too). Employer's in motorsport want qualifications in that area. Your best off doing the level 3 motorsport national diploma to start its a 2 year course. If your willing to travel Brooklands in Surrey is the best one and most people regognize that course. That course deals with cad etc but there's no point learning how to do cad etc on programmes like solidworks if you dont have much of an understanding of the rest of the car loads and stresses etc. So my advice is do the IMI motorsport national diploma at brooklands college and a bit of weekend warrior work to help. Best of luck
This is not to be awkward or argue with the above post from TVR500Morgan and is merely my opinion form personal experience - OP I am 5 years older than you and have taken the step of a complete change of career and am currently in my first year of a foundation in Motorsport Engineering (with a mind to top up to a BSc or BEng). My experience of the course would suggest that if you're motivated to do a little extra reading and have an interest in cars, that the level 3 diploma is a little pointless, if you can get a place starting at level 4 (first year of foundation/degree) then you should go for it and save the 2 years (the majority achieveing the higher grades on my course did not do level 3).
Having spoken to various people, the key is to get a good degree as well as volunteering and getting work wherever you can, word of mouth and who you know is a big part of Motorsport.
Unless your heart is set on motorsport any alternate engineering degree (as mentioned above) will suffice but bare in mind that most of the modules are the same or very similar and you can do a top up in automotive or aeronautical following on from a motorport foundation (providing you get the grades of course).
If you have any other questions feel free to ask or PM if you prefer, I'll endeavour to help.
Good luck with the change, am sure you won't regret it, its one of the best decisions I've ever made.
Having spoken to various people, the key is to get a good degree as well as volunteering and getting work wherever you can, word of mouth and who you know is a big part of Motorsport.
Unless your heart is set on motorsport any alternate engineering degree (as mentioned above) will suffice but bare in mind that most of the modules are the same or very similar and you can do a top up in automotive or aeronautical following on from a motorport foundation (providing you get the grades of course).
If you have any other questions feel free to ask or PM if you prefer, I'll endeavour to help.
Good luck with the change, am sure you won't regret it, its one of the best decisions I've ever made.
I think that you should be looking at HNC, HND or foundation degree courses. Level 3 diplomas are aimed at 16-18 yos (A-level alternative).
I would advise you to stay away from Motorsport courses and look at relevant 'traditional' courses. You don't need one to get a job in motorsport and they are probably less value outside the motorsport industry.
It is possible to make a career change - I know one designer in an F1 team who was in the police until his mid 20s. Think hard about what interests you and be honest with yourself as to whether you have the aptitude for it.
I would advise you to stay away from Motorsport courses and look at relevant 'traditional' courses. You don't need one to get a job in motorsport and they are probably less value outside the motorsport industry.
It is possible to make a career change - I know one designer in an F1 team who was in the police until his mid 20s. Think hard about what interests you and be honest with yourself as to whether you have the aptitude for it.
Edited by Barbarossa on Monday 2nd April 16:02
I completley agree with the guys above you will need a degree at some point if you wish to make it fairly high up in the motorsport ladder, but without sounding harsh if you don't really have any knowlege of mechanical engineering you will struggle jumping straight onto a degree(not impossible though). Your best bet is to go along to open evenings at colleges and uni's and have a chat to current student's there ask them what's involved in the courses and how they find it. From previous experience dont take what the lecturers there say about the course as the god given word (I found they added quite a bit on the open evening). It's no walk in the park though you'll have to put in loads of hours and hard work and when your starting you'll have to do a lot of work for free or near as. As mentioned above though if it's what you want to do and your hearts in it you won't regret it ! good luck !
If I was twenty, hmm maybe 25 years younger this is what I would do.
Go to every track meeting possible, build up a network of friends obtain a great interest and knowledge of motorsport especially a good understanding of both the engineering and hands 'on' mechanic side of things.
Do this course while doing the above. http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/aae/undergradua...
or
http://www.brookes.ac.uk/studying/courses/undergra...
Or you could do any physical science/engineering degree you fancy then an MSC, possibly.
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/aae/postgraduat...
Sell games to pay for your studies. Good luck
Go to every track meeting possible, build up a network of friends obtain a great interest and knowledge of motorsport especially a good understanding of both the engineering and hands 'on' mechanic side of things.
Do this course while doing the above. http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/aae/undergradua...
or
http://www.brookes.ac.uk/studying/courses/undergra...
Or you could do any physical science/engineering degree you fancy then an MSC, possibly.
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/aae/postgraduat...
Sell games to pay for your studies. Good luck
This is purely an opinion as I am not in motorsport but still in an engineering role so i think some of it is valid. As people have said above courses are good they prove a level of understanding and knowledge, however you need to do hands on stuff as well to prove you can use your hands as well as your brain and hands on experience at the bottom level is always useful when you get into whatever engineering role you get to. You will not just understand the theory of the suspension say, but how its fitted and set up. I feel I'm not explaining this too well.
The advice bit:
Join one of the local motorclubs, if you are near myerscough there is Garstang and Preston MC, Morecambe CC, Lancaster MC, Fylde MC, Kirbylonsdale MC. Plenty to choose from, talk to the guys there who build there own rally cars, talk to the guys there with garages who prep rally, ask to have a look at their cars offer to help out just get yourself known. Go marshalling on some rallys, if you are compotent with a spanner ask if you can get involved with a club levels car service crew on a weekend, if your good at it you wont be short of people wanting you to service for them. This on its own can lead you to being a paid service man and from there work your way through the team without qualifications, but even if nothing else it shows some passion for motorsport which employers will look for.
The advice bit:
Join one of the local motorclubs, if you are near myerscough there is Garstang and Preston MC, Morecambe CC, Lancaster MC, Fylde MC, Kirbylonsdale MC. Plenty to choose from, talk to the guys there who build there own rally cars, talk to the guys there with garages who prep rally, ask to have a look at their cars offer to help out just get yourself known. Go marshalling on some rallys, if you are compotent with a spanner ask if you can get involved with a club levels car service crew on a weekend, if your good at it you wont be short of people wanting you to service for them. This on its own can lead you to being a paid service man and from there work your way through the team without qualifications, but even if nothing else it shows some passion for motorsport which employers will look for.
hey - thanks to all the replies, really appreciate it!
here is the course i have decided on - i have decided to do a foundation degree (takes 2 years) and then i can choose to do the final year to get a full BSc (hons). http://www.myerscough.ac.uk/?page=subjects-motorsp... - let me know your thoughts to the course and college. (I only live 5 mins away, so thats why i picked it other some of the others).
I am now going to research the contacts and hopefully have a chat to a few owners and team managers so see what hiring potential is like.
One thing i would like to investigate is what actual job roles exist after completing the degree? the myerscough website does advise but I would really like to know from the industry - as they will hopefully be hiring me!
Any answers or contacts for the above question would be appreciated.
here is the course i have decided on - i have decided to do a foundation degree (takes 2 years) and then i can choose to do the final year to get a full BSc (hons). http://www.myerscough.ac.uk/?page=subjects-motorsp... - let me know your thoughts to the course and college. (I only live 5 mins away, so thats why i picked it other some of the others).
I am now going to research the contacts and hopefully have a chat to a few owners and team managers so see what hiring potential is like.
One thing i would like to investigate is what actual job roles exist after completing the degree? the myerscough website does advise but I would really like to know from the industry - as they will hopefully be hiring me!
Any answers or contacts for the above question would be appreciated.
Hello mate,
I did a college course in motorsport engineering at wiltshire college. It was a great course, they are based at castle combe circuit. Haydn Earl is the man to speek to.
However I now work for Prodrive and the job i first started in needed no prvious experiance. go to the Prodrive website and any vacancies are listed there. I started as workshop assistant in composites and within 8 months i became a team leader then after that moved to Juniour mould technician with a 3grand payrise, I also got my falk lift license paid for.
They are a good company to work for andhave massive motorsport pedagree.
Good luck
I did a college course in motorsport engineering at wiltshire college. It was a great course, they are based at castle combe circuit. Haydn Earl is the man to speek to.
However I now work for Prodrive and the job i first started in needed no prvious experiance. go to the Prodrive website and any vacancies are listed there. I started as workshop assistant in composites and within 8 months i became a team leader then after that moved to Juniour mould technician with a 3grand payrise, I also got my falk lift license paid for.
They are a good company to work for andhave massive motorsport pedagree.
Good luck
Oh and also from the age of 14 I mailed probaly every motorsport team in the country just asking for unpaid work experiance. I managed to get work with the like of Castle combe racing school and Rollcentre racing. I had worked on Mosler's, radicals anf F3's before i even started college.
gtdc said:
Wipe that mapping from your mind if you want to work in motorsport.
If employers are open about long hours and hardly any days off then I'm happy to work them as its part of Motorsport and I am happy to go the extra mile if needed.... The experience I mentioned was that the employer lied to me during interview and when offering me a contract, to me that's unfair and not acceptable.Hope that clears up what I meant!
Ross Parker said:
Hello mate,
I did a college course in motorsport engineering at wiltshire college. It was a great course, they are based at castle combe circuit. Haydn Earl is the man to speek to.
However I now work for Prodrive and the job i first started in needed no prvious experiance. go to the Prodrive website and any vacancies are listed there. I started as workshop assistant in composites and within 8 months i became a team leader then after that moved to Juniour mould technician with a 3grand payrise, I also got my falk lift license paid for.
They are a good company to work for andhave massive motorsport pedagree.
Good luck
Agree with Ross I didn't study at Wiltshire. I did the one at Langley college (same course) as it was much closer for me. The Wiltshire motorsport course is also widley recognised. I was also advised to contact Haydn there. I did a college course in motorsport engineering at wiltshire college. It was a great course, they are based at castle combe circuit. Haydn Earl is the man to speek to.
However I now work for Prodrive and the job i first started in needed no prvious experiance. go to the Prodrive website and any vacancies are listed there. I started as workshop assistant in composites and within 8 months i became a team leader then after that moved to Juniour mould technician with a 3grand payrise, I also got my falk lift license paid for.
They are a good company to work for andhave massive motorsport pedagree.
Good luck
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